Changing Places - Section 3 Using Sources Flashcards
What is qualitative data?
Information that is non-numerical and used in a relatively unstructured and open-ended way. It is descriptive information, which often comes from interviews, focus groups or artistic depictions such as photographs.
What is quantitative data?
Data that can be quantified and verified, and is amenable to statistical manipulation.
What is geospatial data?
information that describes objects, events or other features with a location on or near the surface of the earth. For example, geo-tagged tweets, the index of multiple deprivation or property prices located on a map.
Data sources - maps detail
Used to locate places but can also influence how we think or feel about a place and as such play a very important role in both our sense of place and perception of place.
Data sources - maps reliability and usefulness
Reliability and accuracy of maps have to be considered.
Maps can include hidden bias and influence.
Search engines filter place
Data sources - statistics detail
can reveal information about places e.g. age and gender structure, ethnicity and levels of economic deprivation.
The census provides large-scale quantitative data, which is used by national agencies to understand and plan for demographic changes.
Data sources - statistics reliability, usefulness
Statistics themselves are objective.
People selectively choose the data they wish to use for their particular purpose.
Their use therefore becomes subjective.
Another criticism is they usually don’t tell you anything about sense of place.
Data sources - counter-mapping detail
Counter-mapping describes the process by which people produce their own maps, informed by their own local knowledge and understanding of places.
map not only provides factual information, but it also conveys a sense of place
Data sources - counter-mapping reliability, usefulness
Advantage is that it includes factual information and a sense of place
But subjective to that person’s experience of place and one person’s perception
Data sources - bio-mapping detail
This is the mapping of emotions shown by people to certain places through the use of a device which records the wearer’s Galvanic Skin Response (GSR). This is a simple indicator of emotional response in conjunction with a geographical location. A map can be created which visualises points of high and low feelings.
E.g. An experiment on a man walking around London and the seaside.
Showed lower stress levels at the seaside but spikes of energy when crossing busy road and catching underground train in London.
Data sources - interviews detail
Interviews can generate detailed insights about a person’s sense of place or perception of place. They are first-hand or direct reports of experiences, opinions and feelings.
Interviews can be structured or unstructured. Unstructured interviews are more like an everyday conversation rather than having pre-set questions. They are more informal, open-ended flexible and free flowing.
Data sources - interviews reliability, usefulness
Disadvantages- interviewer bias. Interviewer may affect responses of interviewee
People present themselves in a favourable light and may not be honest - take into consideration
For fieldwork:
Time consuming compared to other data collection methods
A small sample of interviews it not representative of whole population.
More opportunity for explanation that may not be gained from questionnaires.
Data sources - photographs details
Photographs are selective in what they show.
With advanced technology people are increasingly using photo-editing to make places appear different, to improve the image or perception of a place
Marketing images tend to focus on the natural beauty or landscape of places without disturbance from humans. The reality for tourist places may be very different
Data sources - photographs reliability, usefulness
Disadvantages are that photographs may differ from reality. Reasons for this include photo-editing
Photos are a snapshot in time
The person taking the photo also has influence on what appears in the image.
Data sources - textual sources details
Written representations can be used to describe places and can evoke a sense of place.
Newspaper articles can give lots of details, but they may focus on ideas and topics that are likely to sell more copies rather than give a balanced perspective.
Some places have become so strongly associated with authors and stories that they are now promoted or advertised as such.
Data sources - textual sources usefulness
May only offer the perspective of the author so they don’t show a complete picture.
Newspapers can be biased.
Data sources - poetry details
Poetry used to describe and evoke a sense of place
Many famous poets associated with particular places eg) William Wordsworth linked to Lake District
Poets may refer to specific places in personal and responsive ways, also enable reader to sense and imagine what it’s like to be in that place. Same place can be represented in different ways in different poems
Data sources - poetry usefulness
Gives an emotional impression of place.
Emotional sense of place from one perspective
Data sources - music details
Music can help evoke a sense of place
Different types of music may be associated with a geographical area and song lyrics may also help portray particular places.
Eg) Alicia Keys song about New tour - Empire State of Mind
Data sources - music usefulness
Gives an emotional impression of place.
But Only from one perspective.
Data sources - Tv and film detail
Places are a vital backdrop to most dramas, Certain places are associated with different types of stories
TV shows also play a significant role in representing place and this can be positive and negative.
Data sources - TV and film usefulness
Places are represented in ways both positive and negative.
The same place can be portrayed in different ways so they evoke a sense of place that is dependent on the nature of the story being told.
Data sources - art detail
Art has long been used to represent place . Painters became synonymous with geographical places.
Data sources - art usefulness
Show deeper understanding of place because they allow the oranges to show more of the character of what there is and convey a sense of place.
Disadvantage is that paintings may be less reliable than photographs because there is more scope for individual interpretation and selection.
A painting may be a snapshot in time.
Data sources - Graffiti details
Graffiti is writing or drawing that has been put on a wall or other surface, often in a public place.
Many consider it as a type of vandalism and authorities are keen to remove it from public areas.
however, it is being accepted into mainstream culture and art.
Data sources - place and architecture detail
As well as designing buildings, architects are responsible for planning places and it’s increasingly important in terms of creating sustainable and healthy places.
Can play a key role in the redevelopment and rebranding of a place
Data sources - geospatial data details
the use of digital technology has led to much discussion about the notion of digital place.
Data sources - big data detail
Big data is big in terms if its scale.
Different definitions of big data with several things in common:
- Volume – data is not a sample; it is a record of data whole data sets / population of users.
- Velocity – often real-time information, for example purchase transactions.
- Digital footprint – may be a cost-free by-product of digital interaction.
Data sources - big data usefulness
Concerns have been raised by some groups of people about the idea that our every move or browse online can be monitored and is traceable using big data.
